Nearly half of retail employees considered quitting their jobs this summer

New data from the Retail Trust and AlixPartners’ Retail People Index show that 43% of retail staff considered quitting their jobs between July and September this year, while 41% reported working while physically or mentally unwell.

Younger retail workers, aged between 19 to 24, and those who identified as LGBTQ+ were found to be the biggest “flight risk”, with 47% of respondents to the Retail Trust’s survey reported feeling “anxious and depressed about work” and “least likely to feel they were recognised for doing something well”.

Employees aged between 19 and 34 showed the highest levels of presenteeism – where people worked while feeling physically or mentally unwell.

Female retail staff reported experiencing some of the biggest mental health declines during the period, with an overall wellbeing score drop from 72% in July to 52% in September.

The Retail Trust said that the recent autumn Budget will have only “heightened tensions further” among retail staff, with many now worrying about future job cuts and role shifts from early 2025 as the new measures take effect.

Retail Trust chief executive Chris Brook-Carter said: “There are often unrealistic expectations that the summer will be a less stressful time for people working in retail, but the reality is it often brings added pressures for working parents and those having to put in extra shifts to cover colleagues’ holidays.

“That’s why its important employers don’t underestimate the support their staff members need during the summer months, especially as they’ll need a happy and healthy workforce to rely on as they gear up for the busy shopping period at the end of the year.

“Investing in staff wellbeing and retention during this crucial period will allow retailers to be more productive and successful for the rest of the year, thanks to the fundamental link between the hope, health and happiness of a business’ workforce and its economic resilience.

“Thank you to AlixPartners and to our data partner WorkL for their support in creating this valuable index. Our hope is that businesses from across the retail sector and beyond can now build this insight into their wellbeing strategies as they look to the tailored support their people will need in 2025.”